Ireland's road to recovery hits Athens cul de sac

Ireland may have turned a corner in Helsinki in terms of making a return to winning ways, however, it proved to be right down a cul de sac as Heimir Hallgrimsson's side lost 2-0 in Athens.

Aside from an early Evan Ferguson chance, Greece pounded the Ireland rearguard throughout a one-sided opening half as the visitors were unable to cope with the fast-paced approach from their opponents, who committed bodies forward to keep Hallgrimsson’s side pegged back inside their own half.

Ireland set up with two banks of four, while opting for two up front as they attempted to thwart the home side's attacking intentions with the hope of exploiting the space left in behind.

As it turned out, Ireland’s zonal defence was unable to cope with the relentless Greek forward and sideways motion and Troy Parrott was moved deeper in an attempt to take the intensity out of Ivan Jovanovic’s well-drilled unit.

Caoimhín Kelleher would be the one who would eventually give away that gift of a goal in injury-time, which halted any hope of Ireland getting a late, late equaliser, however, it was the Liverpool keeper who kept his side in the game with a string of quality first-half saves.

Somehow Ireland managed to get to half-time without conceding and no doubt, they came out for the second half hoping to get more of a foothold in the contest.

But again they were caught cold shortly after the re-start as Greece flew forward, quickly making the breakthrough that their high-tempo play deserved with captain Anastasios Bakasetas on hand to hit home.

Only then did Ireland start to play with any sort of intent, aided by the string of substitutes with Jack Taylor, on his debut, and Festy Ebosele driving the side forward in search of an equaliser.

Taylor came closest